Are you getting enough vitamin sea?

NatureLifestyleBreath
Written By Alexandra Emerson-White

The ocean is often our place of peace, healing and renewal. The beach is where we can feel most grounded and connected to nature. I can head to the beach in my lowest mood, and leave feeling like a whole new woman. Is it just the scenery? And sun on your skin?

It's not just that. Summer love, may, or may not be in the air…but negative ions literally are.

Here’s why the ocean should be your new favourite place to be.

Negative ions are invisible molecules floating in the air or atmosphere that have been charged with electricity. They are created in nature as molecules break apart, due to situations such as moving water.

"The action of the pounding surf creates negative air ions and we also see it immediately after spring thunderstorms when people report lightened moods," says ion researcher Michael Terman, PhD, of Columbia University in New York.

The air circulating the oceans is much higher in negative ions versus cities or our homes. In fact indoor air has 10% of the air ion concentration of the outdoors. Rural areas also increase the concentration vs urban areas, and vegetation significantly increases levels. So, you’ll find more in forests than open grassy parks or fields (1).

Research supports exposure of negative ions in:

  • reducing symptoms of depression (2)

  • generally increasing blood flow to the brain and increasing cognitive performance (3)

  • antimicrobial properties (4)

But what can you do if you don’t live near the ocean?

Yup, sadly that’s me too. But don’t worry you can still seek out an abundance of those negative ions, head to:

  • Riverbanks

  • Forests

  • Waterfalls

  • Mountains

  • Get the fresh air into your homes and open up those windows

  • Step outside in the rain

  • Head outside after thunder

  • Even our humble shower is a negative ion creator

Are you super sensitive to air ions?

It is thought that about 1 in 3 of us are increasingly sensitive to air ions. You may not have realised the connection, but you could be part of the population that responds to environmental changes in ion concentration by showing elevated symptoms of depression, nausea, insomnia, and respiratory issues (7).

You may feel instantly refreshed the moment you hit the beach, or even open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air. You could notice changes in your energy and mood with certain weather conditions or environments. Perhaps you feel fatigued when you are around an air-conditioned environment, but immediately energised when you step outside.

Should I use an ionising device in my home?

Some limited research does support the use of ionising devices indoors. A study found relief in depression in people with winter and chronic depression, even as much as antidepressants (5). Another found a 50% reduction in headaches, and decreased stuffiness, nausea and dizziness in office workers (6). Exposure produced improvement in mood, depression and anger within 30 minutes across a student population (7). 

But, don’t rush out to buy one. Output levels are often not guaranteed or near the levels of those doses seen in studies. There is also a potential risk of some producing dangerous indoor ozone. Polluted air and air conditioning can deplete negative ions. So, given negative ions are everywhere in nature - the best bet is to just get outside, enjoy your time at the beach, waterfall, dancing in the rain; rest assured it’s likely you’re also getting your negative ion fix. 

Alexandra Emerson-White
Previous

Can I do anything to support sperm health?
Next

Why are breastfeeding mamas left so nutritionally depleted?